re: #343 Gus 802

“Further, the process of transformation, even if it brings revolutionary change, is likely to be a long one, absent some catastrophic and catalyzing event––like a new Pearl Harbor” — PNAC

After 9/11 we were lead to believe that it was another Pearl Harbor. I would say not. Again, it wasn’t something to ignore but the historical, military, and strategic parallels are missing. The only similarity being in that it played a role in galvanizing America. Al Qaeda is not anything close militarily to the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy. Al Qaeda cannot invade most of China, North Korea, and a number of South Pacific Islands as the Japanese did during WWII. There is no, or hardly any, equivalence between Pearl Harbor and 9/11 other than on a psychological level.

After 9/11 I was all on board for some revenge. But I have always believed in the old adage “vengance is a dish best served cold”. I thought the approach was wrong. That we should have spent more time gathering intel, sent in special ops and then wait…for just the right moment.Instead we telegraphed, spent huge amounts of money and they knew exactly what was coming.

Then when we did have a bit of momentum, we diverted to Iraq!